Help please!! George the beautiful grey cinammon has some brown on his beak. I am about to catch him to have a closer look, but I am not sure what to look for. The brown is at the top of his beak and has only appeared today or possibley yesterday, but I always look at him (cause he is beautiful) and I only just noticed. The brown is covering half his cere but not his nostrils. Any advice on what to look for? If need be I have a great avian vet so I can make an appointment for the morning.

Edited December 19, 200816 yr by chrisg

Can you post a photo? It could be that George is a female and has gone into to breeding condition, or it could be scaly face, or something else...

Of course my camera battery is low. I will get a picture asap, but in the mean time, what should I look for in scaly face?

If he is a boy he is out of condition, unless he is a girl, how old is he?

I caught George and was able to check what is on his beak. It is the colour of sand but is like cacked on biscuit. When I chipped at it (gently) with a fingernail I could dent it, but not chip it off. Also it is on the feathers adjacent to his beak, but the beak is in good nick and the feathers are all good, except for a small area (a couple of mm in diameter) above his beak. Hopefully the picture attached will show what I mean.

 

The picture isn't very good.

But it looks like it could be scaley face.

Seeing how it is on his feathers it looks like he just rubbed his face in some soft food and it dried on it face. Try dampening it with a wet cloth and see if it comes off.

Thanks Sailor wolf - I tried that and it did come off a bit, but on closer examination whatever it is is also a bit too close to his nostril for comfort. I checked both his vent and his feet and they are all clear. Nevertheless, Dr Sacks will be getting a visit from me in the morning!! he is a great vet and likes to check budgies for their general health anyway, so a trip to visit him will be well worth the time. Also I have three other boys to worry about. Whatever has happened has accelerated pretty quickly so I don't want them to be affected. And yes, I will be isolating him tonight!!

That looks like regurgitated food. Does he have a girlfriend - he might be a messy feeder

Not only no girlfriend, but the other boys don't like him. I have caught them hassling him when there is millet. I have to put in two stashes so that he has a chance - poor George. It could be food, I checked all the feathers around his beak and they are okay, I checked the beak formation up close and that's okay. There isn't any discharge, I don't know...... The vet will be exxie, but it will be worth it for the piece of mind.

Edited December 19, 200816 yr by chrisg

Not only no girlfriend, but the other boys don't like him. I have caught them hassling him when there is millet. I have to put in two stashes so that he has a chance - poor George. It could be food, I checked all the feathers around his beak and they are okay, I checked the beak formation up close and that's okay. There isn't any discharge, I don't know...... The vet will be exxie, but it will be worth it for the piece of mind.

 

Let us know how you get on...

Chris how far is Templestowe from you? I know a vet who is great with birds, he saw my lorikeet today for a swelling on her face and only charged $26.50 for the consultation. Is this one of the guys from me???

 

Also I can't remember where in Melbourne you were, I don't mind having a look if it helps

Edited December 19, 200816 yr by melbournebudgies

keep us updated, let us know what happens.

I wouldn't be 'chipping away' at his cere though chris... might do some damage... good luck at the vet, let us know how it goes

The diagnosis is in - George has corn face!! He appears to have stuck his beak so far into the corn kernel that he has managed to coat his face and it has dried!! The vet had the corn off within 20 seconds of walking into her office - see JB I was being gentle. She told me to just rub a bit harder with the cotton wool next time.

 

For the record, he was from you melbourne budgie and the vet said that he was in fine form - no parasites, no mites, no bacteria, perfect beak, absolutely great budgie. So he is now back with the others (who couldn't care less that he was gone) and will be getting his own stash of millet to apologise for all the catching.

 

Thanks to you all for the advice - it is much better having other people help evaluate the risks.

Edited December 20, 200816 yr by chrisg

Glad it ll worked out, I always get worried if it sounds like a baby I have rehomed is ill, good to hear it was a false alarm.

 

 

I'd make a corny joke right now but it's early and I can't think of one...

Edited December 20, 200816 yr by melbournebudgies

Glad it ll worked out, I always get worried if it sounds like a baby I have rehomed is ill, good to hear it was a false alarm.

 

 

I'd make a corny joke right now but it's early and I can't think of one...

 

 

:laughter: :laughter: :laughter: :laughter:

I thought it was food

Brilliant!!! I hope he didn't charge you too much for the 'kernel-asectomy'

glad he is okay, silly bird